Lake Wales Couple Arrested in Texas On Cocaine Charges

Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 6:52 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 6:52 a.m.

A Lake Wales couple was arrested in Texas after officers found more than 20 pounds of cocaine hidden in a false compartment of their vehicle's radiator, Texas news media outlets reported.

A traffic stop Friday on Interstate 10 several miles east of Weimar led to a search of a car operated by Marciano Moreno, 43, and his wife, Maria Moreno, 52.

The Houston Chronicle reported that a Texas trooper noticed the radiator appeared to have been altered and a drug-sniffing dog located packages with what authorities estimated to be $500,000 worth of cocaine.

The Colorado County Sheriff's Office said the couple were being held on $25,000 bail Monday, charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

<p>A Lake Wales couple was arrested in Texas after officers found more than 20 pounds of cocaine hidden in a false compartment of their vehicle's radiator, Texas news media outlets reported. </p><p>A traffic stop Friday on Interstate 10 several miles east of Weimar led to a search of a car operated by Marciano Moreno, 43, and his wife, Maria Moreno, 52.</p><p>The Houston Chronicle reported that a Texas trooper noticed the radiator appeared to have been altered and a drug-sniffing dog located packages with what authorities estimated to be $500,000 worth of cocaine.</p><p>The Colorado County Sheriff's Office said the couple were being held on $25,000 bail Monday, charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.</p>